Vacuum breaker



June 30, 1.942- w. KUNsToRFF y VACUUM BREAKER Filed May 27, 1940 INVENTOR, WERNER /ru/vsToRFf-.I

Patented June 30, 1942 UNTED rss' VACUUM BREAKER Werner Kunstor, San Francisco, Calif.

Application May 27, 1940, Serial No. 337,449 s claims. (01.137-111) The present invention relates to improvements in a vacuum breaker for flush pipes, and has particular reference to the flushing apparatus for a toilet bowl, although it may be used in other combinations.

In ushing apparatus vfor toilets, it may happen that a suction or vacuum develops in the feeder pipes for the flushing device, such vacuum having a tendency to draw on the contents of the toilet bowl, and to Siphon the same into the feeder system.

'Io avoid such back siphoning, itis proposed in the present invention to provide a vacuum breaker in the flush pipe leading to the toilet bowl, which makes such back siphoning impossible,

It is further proposed to arrange the vacuum breaker in such a manner that it will not interfere with toilet flushing operations, and will effectively prevent any AWater used during the flushing of the toilet from escaping.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds and the novel features thereof will be fully set forth in the claims hereto appended.

The preferred forms of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows the flush pipe containing the vacuum breaker in position with respect to a toilet bowl and the ushing apparatus;

Figure 2', a vertical section through the flush pipe and the vacuum breaker;

Figure 3, a Similar view of a slightly modified form;

Figure 4, a vertical section showing another modification of my invention;

Figure 5, a similar View of a still further modification;

Figure 6, a vertical section illustrating another form of the invention;

Figure '7, a similar section showing a modification of Figure 6;

Figure 8, a vertical section showing a modification of Figure and Figures 9 and 10, showing additional modications.

While I have shown only the preferredforms of my invention, I wish to have it understoodv that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto "at-r tached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and par ticularly to Figure 1, the flush pipe I is shown as connecting the bowl 2 of the toilet 3 with a suitable ushing apparatus, here shown as a tank but which may consist, of course, of the conventional flush valve, conventionally used in many larger establishments.

The flush pipe I usually is very short, and it is one of the important features of my invention to provide a vacuum breaker that is. not only enicient, but is arranged and proportioned to require little space in the ilush pipe.

Figures 2 to 10 show vertical sections through the flush pipe I, with different forms of vacuum breakers on an enlarged scale, the vacuum breakers involving the same principle.

In all the forms the pipe I is provided with a suitable series of vents or perforations 5, near the upper end thereof to allow air to be sucked into the pipe by the downward rush of the water for breaking any vacuum that might form.

In Figure 2, I show a frusto-conical shield 6 as projecting downwardly'frorn the wall of the pipe at a point immediately above the vents 5, the lower end of the shield being a considerable distance below the vents. This shield forms a restricted throat for the water rushing downwardly and increases the speed of the water whereby a vacuum is created around the shield causing air to be sucked in through the vents 5 and tending to prevent any back splashing of the water.

The shield 6 is here shown as made 1n a separate piece which has an upper cylindrical section l lying flat against the inner face of the pipe and having water-tight connection therewith. Other forms of securing the shield to the pipe may of course, be substituted.

While the shape of the shield is very efficient in preventing any back wash of the water through the vents 5, I do show in the preferred form of Figure 2, a second frustro-conical member 8 encircling the shield and attached tothe pipe just below the vents. This member forms a narrow frustro-conical passage with the shield, the passage leading to the vents. It will be noted that the outer member stops short of the shield at the lower end, as at 9. o

The form of Figure 3 is substantially similar to that ofFigure 2, with the exception that an'ipper flange I0 is shown in Figure 2, as being part of the pipe I, and in Figure 3 as rbeing part of the shield Ii.

In Figure 4, the equivalent `of the frustroconical member 8 is furnished" by a tapered restriction I I in the pipe itself, this restriction run-1r Y ning parallel to the shield, and serving substantially the same function as the member 8.

Figure shows my invention in its simplest form, the shield 6 alone being relied on to prevent the water from back splashing through the vents.

In Figure 6, the shield I2 is shown of a different form and comprises a reduced vertical section I3 running parallel to the wall of the pipe, and being connected thereto, above the vents by an enlarged section I4 tting against the Wall of the pipe.

In this form back splashing is prevented by a collar I5 having a flange I6 forming a narrow passage with the lower end of the shield. It will be noted that here again, as in all the forms shown, the collar stops short of the bottom end of the shield.

The form shown in Figure 7 is similar to that of Figure 6, but in this form the reduced section I3 of the shield is joined to the enlarged section I4 by means of a short tapered piece I'I. In this form, the bottom I8 of the shield tapers inwardly below the collar I5.

In the form of Figure 8, a tapered shield is used, and the back splash member I9 is in the form of an annular deector having a curved bottom.

In the form of Figure 9, the deflector of Figure 8 is inverted, and an annular hood 20 is provided on the outside of the pipe to protect the vents from dust and impurities.

A similar hood 2| is shown in Figure 10, and this hood is supported on a split ring clamped upon the outer face of the flush pipe, as at 22, which allows the hood to be lifted to give access to the vents for cleaning purposes. In other respects the form of Figure l0 is similar to that of Figure 2.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description. The water rushing through the pipe I, during a flushing operation, is constricted by the shield 6, which prevents the Water from reaching any of the vent holes, and guides the Water downward at an increased speed, causing air to be sucked through the vent holes, and preventing a vacuum from forming in the pipe.

Back-splash is prevented normally by the snreid alone, as in the form of Figure 6, but as an additional safe-guard the member 8 is provided, or any one of its equivalents, all of which have in common the one feature that they form a narrow passage with the lower end of the shield, but slightly above the bottom thereof.

It is apparent that, if any vacuum should develop in the water feed system for the flushing apparatus, which would have a tendency to siphon the water out of the bowl 2, the vacuum would be broken by the vents 5 whereby all danger` of back-siphoning and consequent contamination of the water supply is averted.

I claim:

1. A vacuum breaker for a ilush pipe comprising a Vent in the wall of the flush pipe, an annular shield projecting from the inside of the pipe above the vent and having a reduced end extending below the vent, and means projecting from the pipe wall below the vent and forming a restricted passage with the lower end of the shield, the restricted passage being disposed slightly above and spaced from the bottom of the shield so as to be remote from the normal flow of liquid passing through the ilush pipe.

2. A vacuum breaker for a flush pipe comprising a vent in the wall of the ush pipe, a frustoconical shield suspended from the pipe wall immediately above the vent and extending downwardly below the vent, and a second frusto-conical member projecting from the pipe immediately below the vent in substantially parallel relation to the shield to dene a narrow passage therewith, the second member terminating slightly above the bottom of the shield.

3. A vacuum breaker for a flush pipe comprising a vent in the wall of the flush pipe, a shield projecting from the inside Wall of the flush pipe and having a reduced section running parallel to the pipe to a point below the vent and a member projecting from the inside of the pipe below the Vent and forming a narrow passage with the reduced section, the latter section having a short tapered extension below the said member.

WERNER KUNSTORFF. 

